Best Place to See Redwoods Near San Francisco

Have you heard the rumor that Muir Woods is the best place to see redwoods near San Francisco? Well, I will let you in on a secret: the rumor is not entirely true. Yes, Muir Woods is famous, mostly because it is widely advertised and because people believe that “Star Wars Return of the Jedi” movie was filmed there. The latter assumption is not true either – the movie was actually filmed in a private redwood grove near Redwood National Park.

One other reason why Muir Woods is considered one of the best places to see redwoods near San Francisco is because it has old growth redwoods, i.e. the trees that are hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of years old that survived the logging boom in California. Old growth redwoods are much bigger (they are the tallest trees on the planet) and more rare than second-growth redwoods that sprouted after the logging boom and they are generally no more than 200 years old.

Below is a great infographic about the stunning giant redwoods:

But Muir Woods is also notorious for its crowds. If you like a pristine nature experience Muir Woods is not the place to go.

So if Muir Woods is not necessarily the best place to see redwoods near San Francisco than which is? There are several great California redwood state parks in San Francisco Bay Area that are less known than Muir Woods. As a result less crowded, but no less stunning. They are also easier to get to than Muir Woods and no pre-paid, scheduled in advance parking permit is required to park on premises.

We hiked in all of these California redwoods state parks and nature reserves and I can assure you that you are guaranteed a great time – so check out my list of best places to see redwoods near San Francisco below.

My favorite best places to see redwoods near San Francisco

#1 Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve

Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve is one of the best places to see redwoods near San Francisco for many reasons. The first reason is that it is the closest location to San Francisco and an easy drive along HW 280. The closest entrance is off Skyline Boulevard. However, this is not where most of the Redwoods grow. This area is famous for scenic views from the top of the mountain, whimsical moss covered trees and wildflowers. I have a detailed video of our cool Purisima creek hike on IGTV which you can watch HERE.

Redwoods grow in big numbers in this Park along Purisima Creek Canyon, at the bottom of the mountain. The park generally has second-growth redwoods. But I found out information about at least 1 old growth tree in the Preserve – check out the details how to find it HERE.

The best approach to this area of Purisima is from HW-1. Kidls love Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve because it is home to many banana slugs and California newts. Entrance to this preserve is FREE.

#2 Sam McDonald Park

Sam McDonald Park is a bit of a drive but is definitely worth it. It is one of the most gorgeous redwood parks in San Francisco Bay Area. And it has old growth grove! It is called Heritage Grove. It is easily accessible from the main parking lot – just follow the Heritage Grove Trail.

The trees here are magnificent, there are usually very few people compared to other parks and you feel like you have the whole forest just for yourself! There is a small fee for parking in the Park’s main parking lot.

Many animals live in this park, including deer, raccoon, fox, opossum, bob-cat as well as several species of birds.

#3 Henry Cowell Redwood State Park

Henry Cowell Redwood State Park is possibly the furthers redwood park from San Francisco but the reason why I put it on my list of the best places to see redwoods near San Francisco is because it has 40 acre old growth grove. The tallest tree in the Park is approximately 277 feet tall, about 16 feet wide, and nearly 1,500 years old. A 0.8 miles loop trail will lead you through this magnificent growth.

Fun tip: Roaring Camp Railroad is located next door to Henry Cowell Park so you can take a scenic 75 minutes train ride through the redwoods. The tracks follow along the edge of the Park. The photo bellow is from the themed Thomas the Train ride.

Camping is available in the Park as well.

Other great places to see redwoods near San Francisco

#4 Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Big Basin Redwoods State Park earned its place on the least of best places to see redwoods near San Francisco because it is the oldest State Park in California and it has the largest continuous stand of ancient coast redwoods south of San Francisco. The trees that you can see here are between 1000 and 2500 years old!

The Park has 80 miles of trails and some cool waterfalls. It is not the easiest park to get to but the trip will be totally worth it and you can also stay here for the night as it has several campgrounds on site. There is a day use fee at the Big Basin Redwoods.

# 5 Memorial County Park

Memorial County Park is located a stone throw from Sam McDonald Park and has old-growth redwoods. This Park has Pescadero Creek running through it, which is a winter home for steelhead trout as they migrate upstream to spawn and then move back to the sea in the spring.

Sequoia Trail has the largest redwood tree in the Park. Check out Creek Trail where from early May through June you can see azaleas in full bloom.

The park has a couple of nice family campgrounds too. There is a day use fee at Memorial County Park.

I have a short fun review of our Memorial County Park on my YouTube channel:

#6 Portola Redwoods State Park

Portola Redwoods State Park has old growth redwoods forest. It also has several nice waterfalls on Fall and Pescadero Creeks. This Pescadero Creek is the same one that flows through Memorial County Park above so you can observe steelhead trout migration here as well.

There are camping sites in the Park and day use fee is required per vehicle.

#7 Huddart Park

Huddard Park is located not far away from Purisima. It has lots of hiking trails as well as multiple picnic areas, a playground and a couple open areas. Huddard Park has second-growth redwoods. This Park is great if you want to spend the whole day outdoors (please, note all facilities are open currently due to COVID-19). Crystal Springs and Dean trails are the best hiking trails to see redwoods in Huddard park. There is a per car fee to enter the Park.

#8 Wunderlich County Park

Wunderlich County Park is a neighbor of Huddart Park. It has 8 main trails and Redwoods Trail, as the name suggests, is one of the best place to see redwoods near San Francisco. This Park has second growth redwoods. The entrance to the Park is FREE of charge.

Additional information about California redwood parks

There are two more stunning places to see redwoods that are a bit further away from San Francisco: Big Sur and Redwood National Park. If you are fan of redwoods both are a must-see.

Big Sur has several state parks that have beautiful redwood groves. For detailed information check out my Big Sur Itinerary.

However no California redwoods park compares to Redwood National Park. It is 5 and a half hours drive from San Francisco (about the same from Portland) but it is one of the most awe-inspiring forests that I have ever seen, anywhere in the world. Giant Sequoia National Park is comparable in its magnificence but if you love redwoods you need to make a pilgrimage to Redwood National Park. I have a detailed itinerary prepared for you: San Francisco to Redwood National Park Road Trip.

And though you won’t be able to see the exact grove where “Star Wars Return of the Jedi” movie was filmed (it is a private grove), you will be able to see “Jurassic Park” movie filming location within the vicinity of Redwood National Park – check out all the details in the above mentioned itinerary.

Redwoods for Kids

To get kids excited and learn about redwoods, I recorded this famous book by Jason Chin, “REDWOODS”. Check it out!

Where to stay in San Francisco

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